Taking the bus is a great way to get around Arvada, which is both environmentally and budget-friendly. If you’re among the 15% of U.S. adults with hearing loss, you might worry about how your difficulty hearing will interfere with safe and smooth travel.
Let’s take a look at five essential tips to help you travel on buses and trains without stress.
Wear Hearing Aids
Hearing aids collect and amplify speech and essential background noise. They can help you hear announcements and other passengers, so you never miss your stop or accidentally ignore someone asking you to scoot over so they can have a seat.
Watch for Visual Alerts
All buses and trains should have visual information about your ride, upcoming stops and unexpected detours. If you’re on the bus, this information will likely scroll across a banner at the front. Trains may have the alerts at the front or along the walls.
Communicate With Transportation Employees
If you’re taking a longer train ride, an employee might come around to check your ticket. Communicate clearly that you have hearing loss so there aren’t any misunderstandings.
Accommodations for people with hearing loss can vary depending on the type of transportation and the length of the trip. For instance, a quick bus ride may not offer additional support or staff assistance, while a longer train journey is more likely to provide accommodations.
You can also try communicating with your seat partner. Many people are more than willing to update you on any schedule changes.
Download a Transportation App
Transportation apps are great ways to stay updated on your trip. Many apps include real-time notifications on routes and delays you may have missed when the driver announced them.
Buy a Bus Pass
Using a bus pass makes paying for your ride stress-free and straightforward. Just tap your card and find your seat, no extra conversation necessary. If the fare depends on where you’re going, let the driver know your destination before tapping your card.
By employing these tips, you can sit back and relax on your next trip. For more information on managing your hearing loss, contact Advantage ENT & Audiology today.